Area providers come together for event

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By Andy Barrand

Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI

By Andy Barrand

Posted Feb. 19, 2013 at 10:00 AM

By Andy Barrand
Posted Feb. 19, 2013 at 10:00 AM

Hillsdale, Mich.

andy.barrand@hillsdale.net

HILLSDALE — Parents looking for the perfect preschool for their children will have the opportunity to talk with representatives from area preschools during the Preschool Connect event Thursday at the Hillsdale Free Methodist Church.

The event is sponsored by Great Start Collaborative of Hillsdale County. The event will be from 10 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m. at the church located at 150 Union St., Hillsdale.

Ginelle Skinner, Great Start supervisor, said the idea came about as a one-stop shop for parents to learn about preschool options in the county. Representatives from all the licensed preschools from the county will be present, besides three Skinner said she hadn’t heard back from.

“It has been really well-received,” she said.

The event will give parents the opportunity to learn about all the preschool options in the county. Representatives will be on hand to help parents with financial assistance. Pre-registration for state- and federally-funded preschool programs will also be available.

Representatives from the Hillsdale ISD will be on hand to do developmental screenings. Personnel of the health department and other county organizations willalso be in attendance.

Representatives from the Sandbox Party will also be at the event. The Michigan Sandbox Party is a nonpartisan movement for Michigan residents who recognize the need to make sure infants, toddlers and other children are healthy, strong and ready to go when they arrive at kindergarten.

Skinner said it is important for parents to shop around when looking for a preschool. She said her advice to parents is go with your gut when picking out a preschool.

“If something doesn’t seem right during a visit, continue to look,” Skinner said.

Preschools need to be warm, nurturing environments where students not only are in a learning environment but also have opportunities to interact and play with other students, Skinner said. As supervisor of the Great Start program she has been working with area preschools in improving the quality of the programs.

The state has recently begun rating all of the licensed preschools in the state on a star system.